NHL Trade Rumors: Martin St. Louis dealt to Rangers
By Matt Shetler
With it being NHL Trade Deadline day, fantasy hockey teams can be affected in a major way by 3:00 p.m. EST.
It’s been a quiet deadline so far, but one major move has gone down with the Tampa Bay Lightning shipping Martin St. Louis to the New York Rangers in exchange for Ryan Callahan and a pair of draft picks, a source confirmed to ESPN.
Mar 1, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning right wing
Martin St. Louis(26) waits for play to begin against the Dallas Stars during the second period at the American Airlines Center. St. Louis scored goals in the first and second periods. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
St. Louis has a five-game point streak dating back to Feb. 4 which includes four goals and seven points. He has over 60 in 60 games and most of that is without stud line mate Steven Stamkos. He really should get some consideration for the Hart trophy, but won’t.
In addition to being eighth in the NHL in scoring and fifth in the league in goals scored, St. Louis led the NHL in scoring last season.
In terms of his fantasy value, I expect St. Louis’ value to remain the same in New York as he should continue to stockpile fantasy points.
The one who could be effective the most is Stamkos, who will make his return to the lineup Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres.
While Stamkos is a natural goal scorer, he could find it more difficult with Callahan on his side opposed to St. Louis as St. Louis is more of a natural playmaker.
I also don’t like the deal to Tampa in terms of Callahan’s fantasy value.
Callahan is only a 25 point guy on the season and is a guy who could potentially score 20-plus goals on the season, but he is going to have more expectations placed on him in Tampa, if he isn’t flipped before 3 pm. and I don’t see Callahan living up to those.
For what it is worth, St. Louis is expected to be in the lineup tonight for the Rangers, playing next to Brad Richards.